January 18, 2012 Ramey alluded to power in 2011 DUI traffic arrest
By Cindy Lenart
Recently released in-squad video from the Aug. 28, 2011 DUI arrest of State Representative Randy Ramey, shows that he alluded to a position of power just prior to formally being charged with driving under the influence, blood alcohol content over .08 and improper lane usage.
The video clearly reveals Ramey asking the officer, �Do you know who I am?�
The officer responded simply, �I couldn�t care less,� to which Ramey responded, �I know.�
The exchange followed discussion between the officer and Ramey, questioning his alcoholic impairment for driving, as well as four field sobriety tests, all of which Ramey failed.
The incident began at 2:11 a.m. while Ramey was driving westbound at Lies Road and Bedford in Carol Stream in a red GMC pick-up truck. The video shows Ramey crossing over the lane markings.
Once the squad car�s flashing lights were activated, Ramey pulled into the first cross street and waited for the officer to approach him.
When asked if he had been drinking, Ramey said that he had a �few drinks.�
When asked if he felt okay to drive, Ramey said �probably not.�
He was asked why he felt that way, and responded, �Because I had a few drinks.�
Police proceeded to conduct four field sobriety tests, including a horizontal gaze nystagmus, walk and turn test, one-leg stand test and alphabet test.
The police report said that Ramey failed all four, and the video clearly revealed him confused by directions, swaying during the walk and turn test, and losing his place three times during a recitation of the alphabet.
When he laughed following the alphabet test, Ramey told the officer, �You�re doing a good job.�
When the officer asked what he was doing a good job at, Ramey said, �At questioning me.�
The officer proceeded to tell Ramey that .08 was the legal alcohol limit and asked if he thought he had too much.
Ramey responded, �I don�t know. It could be.�
The officer then held out the breath test machine and asked Ramey to read the results.
�.204. That�s not good,� he said.
It was after that that the officer told Ramey he was being arrested, followed by Ramey asking the officer if he knew who he was.
Ramey was handcuffed and taken to the Carol Stream Police Station, where he again took a breath test at 3:25 a.m., this time registering .179.
In court on Sept. 26, 2011, Ramey plea bargained, pleading guilty to the DUI charge in exchange for dropping additional charges of improper lane usage and BAC over .08.
Ramey was sentenced to one year of driver�s license suspension, counseling, 100 hours of community service, and a $1,750 fine, plus court costs.
